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Whitmer says Supreme Court “undermined” COVID efforts

LANSING, MI (MPRN)--   Governor Gretchen Whitmer said Sunday on CNN that an advisory opinion from the state’s highest court puts the health of Michiganders at risk.

The Michigan Supreme Court’s opinion said the governor exceeded her authority by issuing and re-issuing orders that require masks, distancing, and restricting public gatherings without getting approval from the Legislature.

“The Supreme Court in Michigan undermined my emergency rule, my emergency orders that I’ve had to enact that puts in the same state as all other states in this nation, to save lives. We’ve saved thousands of lives,” she said.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey said Republicans will negotiate with the governor, but GOP lawmakers are opposed to mask mandates.

The CDC says masks are one of the most effective tools to slow the spread of COVID-19.

State Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, said her office will not use criminal charges to enforce compliance. But she says other state agencies and local governments may use their authority to enact and enforce emergency health and safety rules.